By Henry 
Did you know that one dedicated pediatrician in regional Australia has not only treated thousands of children but also fought for their future by linking health to environmental protection? Meet Dr. Jo McCubbin, a name that’s become synonymous with compassionate care and bold advocacy in Gippsland, Victoria.
- Expert in Pediatric Medicine: Dr. Jo McCubbin is a highly respected paediatrician specializing in general care, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental behavioral disorders, serving families across Gippsland.
- Environmental Advocate: As a member of Doctors for the Environment, she champions the connection between a healthy planet and children’s well-being, warning about threats like climate change and air pollution.
- Political Trailblazer: She has run for office multiple times, including as an Australian Democrats candidate and independent, focusing on regional issues like healthcare and sustainability.
- Family Legacy: A descendant of renowned Australian artist Frederick McCubbin, her roots inspire a blend of creativity and commitment to community.
- Not Related to Megan McCubbin: Despite name similarities, research suggests Dr. Jo McCubbin is not the mother of British wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin; that role belongs to a different Jo McCubbin, a UK-based nurse.
Dr. Jo McCubbin has built a career centered on kids’ health in regional Victoria. Based in Sale, she practices at Fitzpatrick House, offering services from general check-ups to specialized support for autism and behavioral challenges. If you’re a parent in Gippsland dealing with developmental concerns, she’s likely on your radar—her outreach extends to areas like Orbost and Bairnsdale. You might wonder how one doctor covers so much ground; it’s through years of dedication, starting from her training and leading to her role as a senior paediatrician with qualifications like MBBS and FRACP.
What sets Jo McCubbin apart is her passion for environmental activism. She teaches medical students about environmental medicine and has co-authored works on how climate change affects rural children’s health. For instance, she’s raised alarms about mercury in local fish and air quality issues in Gippsland. As part of Doctors for the Environment, her mantra—”working for a healthy planet for all children”—drives her efforts.
Beyond the clinic, she’s a community leader, founding the Gippsland Women’s Network and supporting arts initiatives. Her political runs highlight her commitment to regional healthcare and sustainability.
If you’re here from following Chris Packham or Megan McCubbin, note that the UK Jo McCubbin (Megan’s mother) is a separate individual—a nurse formerly partnered with Packham. The Australian Dr. Jo McCubbin’s family ties trace back to artist Frederick McCubbin via her father, Charles, an environmentalist himself.
Dr. Jo McCubbin stands as a beacon in Gippsland’s healthcare landscape, blending medical expertise with a fierce dedication to environmental and social causes. Her story isn’t just a list of achievements—it’s a narrative of one woman’s relentless pursuit to safeguard children’s health in body, mind, and environment. As a paediatrician with over four decades of experience, she has touched countless lives in regional Victoria, from diagnosing developmental disorders to advocating for policies that protect future generations. But who is she beyond the white coat? Let’s dive deeper into her professional path, activism, political endeavors, and family heritage, while addressing common confusions about her identity.
Born Joanna McCubbin, she hails from a lineage rich in artistic and environmental passion. Her father, Charles McCubbin (1930-2010), was an artist, scientist, and explorer who grew up immersed in nature, collecting butterflies and studying ecosystems in Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens. Charles was the grandson of Frederick McCubbin, the iconic Australian Impressionist painter known for works like “The Pioneer” that captured the essence of bush life. This family legacy of appreciating the natural world likely influenced Jo’s own career, where she sees health as intertwined with the environment. Charles married Patricia Gerraty in 1954, and they had two children: Joanna (Jo) and Andrew. Jo, as Charles’s daughter, is Frederick McCubbin’s great-granddaughter, a connection that adds a layer of cultural depth to her public persona.
Her professional journey began with medical training, earning her MBBS and Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in paediatrics. By the early 2000s, she was a key figure at Central Gippsland Hospital in Sale, where she worked alongside Dr. Peter Goss. In 2006, both resigned amid concerns over hospital management, highlighting a “crisis” in regional pediatrics—a move that underscored her commitment to quality care. Today, at Fitzpatrick House in Sale, she provides comprehensive paediatric services, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder and developmental behavioral disorders. Her practice extends outreach to remote areas like Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale, making her a lifeline for families in underserved regions. Parents often praise her for her empathetic approach, addressing not just medical needs but the broader challenges of raising children with conditions like autism in rural settings.
What truly elevates Jo McCubbin’s profile is her environmental activism. She’s a vocal member of Doctors for the Environment Australia and the Climate and Health Alliance, teaching environmental medicine to medical students and advocating for policies that mitigate climate impacts on kids. In 2015, she and colleagues warned about high mercury levels in Gippsland Lakes fish, urging health departments to act to protect vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. Her submissions to inquiries, such as on clean air in Victoria, emphasize phasing out polluting fuels to safeguard respiratory health.
On the academic front, McCubbin has contributed to key publications. She’s co-author of the chapter “Australia, Lucky Country or Climate Change Canary: What Future for Her Rural Children?” in the book Climate Change and Rural Child Health, edited by Erica Bell and Bastian Seidel. This work explores how climate change exacerbates rural health disparities, from heat stress to food insecurity, drawing on her firsthand experience in Gippsland. It’s a call to action, blending science with empathy for children’s futures.
Politically, McCubbin has been active since the late 1990s. She ran for the Australian Democrats in the Victorian Legislative Council for Gippsland Province in 1999 and 2002, platforms that highlighted regional health services and environmental protection. In 2006, she stood as an independent for the Legislative Assembly seat of South Gippsland, continuing her push for sustainable policies. Though unsuccessful in elections, her candidacies raised awareness about issues like unconventional gas mining and air quality, which she views as direct threats to public health.
Community involvement rounds out her profile. As a founding member of the Gippsland Women’s Network, she supports women’s empowerment in regional areas. She’s also on the Project Management Committee of the East Gippsland Arts Network, reflecting her artistic heritage. Even personally, she engages in cultural pursuits—like learning Scottish Gaelic via apps to connect with her roots.
Now, addressing a common mix-up: Many search for “Jo McCubbin” in connection with British wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham and his stepdaughter Megan McCubbin. However, the Jo McCubbin who is Megan’s mother is a different person—a British nurse who was Packham’s partner for about a decade, splitting around 2008. This UK Jo raised Megan near Southampton, fostering a love for animals that led to Megan’s career in wildlife presenting. In contrast, our Dr. Jo McCubbin is firmly rooted in Australia, with no documented ties to the Packham family. The name coincidence might stem from shared Scottish heritage (McCubbin is a Scottish surname), but they are distinct individuals.
To visualize her impact, consider this timeline table of key milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1950s-1970s | Grows up influenced by father Charles McCubbin’s environmental ethos; pursues medical training. |
| 1980s-1990s | Establishes paediatric practice in Gippsland; becomes FRACP qualified. |
| 1999 | Runs for Victorian Legislative Council as Australian Democrats candidate. |
| 2002 | Second Democrats run for Legislative Council. |
| 2006 | Resigns from Sale Hospital amid crisis; runs as independent for South Gippsland. |
| 2010s | Publishes on climate change and child health; advocates on mercury, air quality. |
| 2020s | Continues practice at Fitzpatrick House, focusing on autism specialists in regional Victoria. |
Another table highlights her areas of expertise:
| Area | Focus | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Medicine | Autism, behavioral disorders, general care | Supports families in Gippsland with outreach services. |
| Environmental Activism | Climate change, air pollution, unconventional gas | Submissions and teachings promote child health protections. |
| Community Leadership | Women’s networks, arts | Fosters regional empowerment and cultural ties. |
Dr. Jo McCubbin’s life exemplifies how one person can bridge medicine, activism, and community. Her work reminds us that children’s health extends beyond the clinic to the air they breathe and the planet they inherit. For parents in Gippsland or environmental advocates worldwide, she’s a model of integrated advocacy.
In summary, Dr. Jo McCubbin’s legacy is one of care and courage. Next steps for readers:
- If in Victoria, book a consultation via Fitzpatrick House for pediatric needs.
- Join Doctors for the Environment to support similar causes.
- Explore Frederick McCubbin’s art to appreciate her family roots.
What’s one way you’ll advocate for children’s health today?
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Who is Dr. Jo McCubbin?
A senior paediatrician in Sale, Victoria, specializing in autism and developmental disorders, with a strong focus on environmental health.
Is Jo McCubbin related to Megan McCubbin?
No, the Australian Dr. Jo McCubbin is not Megan’s mother; that’s a different Jo McCubbin from the UK.
What is Jo McCubbin’s environmental work?
She’s a member of Doctors for the Environment, co-authoring on climate change’s impact on rural kids and advocating for clean air.
Has Jo McCubbin been involved in politics?
Yes, she ran for office with the Australian Democrats in 1999 and 2002, and as an independent in 2006.
What are her family connections?
She’s the great-granddaughter of artist Frederick McCubbin, daughter of environmentalist Charles McCubbin.
Where does Jo McCubbin practice?
At Fitzpatrick House in Sale, with outreach in Gippsland regions.
How does she link health and environment?
Through teachings and publications showing how climate change affects children’s physical and mental health in rural areas.